Catalyst Systems Based on Carbonylamino Fulvenes

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses metallic complexes based on carbonylamino fulvene ligands; their method of preparation and their use in the oligomerisation or polymerisation of ethylene and alpha-olefins.

The present invention discloses catalyst components based on carbonylamino fulvene ligands their method of preparation and their use in the polymerisation of ethylene and alpha-olefins.

Several ligands have been described in literature, some of which were tested in complexation with metals but none of them have been used as catalysts for the polymerisation of ethylene or alpha-olefins. Some ligands are described for example in Lloyd and Preston (D. Lloyd, N. W. Preston, J. Chem. Soc. C, 1969, 2464-2469.) or by Linn and Sharkey (W. J. Linn, W. G. Sharkey J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1957, 79, 4970-2.) or in Snyder et al. (C. A. Snyder, J. P. Selegue, N. C. Tice, C. E. Wallace. M. T. Blankenbuehler, S. Parkin, K. D. E. Allen, R. T. Beck, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 15010-11.) or in Dong et al. (Y. B. Dong, Y. Geng, J. P. Ma and R. Q. Huang, Inorg. Chem. 2005, 44, 1693-1703.)

There is a need to develop new catalyst system having good activity and able to produce polymers tailored to specific needs.

It is an aim of the present invention to prepare new catalyst components that can be used in the polymerisation of ethylene and alpha-olefins.

It is also an aim of the present invention to provide very active catalyst components.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a method for polymerising or copolymerising ethylene and alpha-olefins.

The present invention reaches, at least partially, any one of those aims.

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a method for preparing a metallic complex that comprises the steps of:

-   -   a) preparing a carbonylamino fulvene ligand by condensation         reaction of an hydroxycarbonyl fulvene ligand with a primary         amine, in a polar solvent and with an acid catalyst

-   -   -   wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected             from alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl having at most 20             carbon atoms or heteroatoms-containing groups;

    -   b) providing a metallic precursor MZ_(n) wherein M is a metal         Group 6 to 11 of the Periodic Table, Z is a negative         counter-anion and n is the valence of M;

    -   c) complexing the metallic precursor of step b) with the         carbonylamino fulvene of step a);

    -   d) retrieving a metallic complex.

Preferably, both R₁ are the same and are selected from alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl (Ph), CHPh2 wherein Ph may be substituted or not, or the R₁ groups include heteroatom(s)-containing units. More preferably R is CHPh₂ or cyclohexyl or paramethoxyphenyl. Most preferably R₁ is CHPh₂.

Preferably R₂ is CH₂pyridine or includes heteroatoms-containing units. More preferably R₂ is CH₂pyridine or furan.

Preferred embodiments according to the present invention are characterised by the following pairs:

Both R₁ are CHPh₂ and R₂ is CH₂pyridine, Both R₁ are paramethoxyphenyl and R₂ is CH₂pyridine, Both R₁ are cyclohexyl and R₂ is furan.

Most preferably, both R₁ are CHPh₂ and R₂ is CH₂pyridine.

Preferably, M is CrII, CrIII or Ni, more preferably, it is CrII.

Preferably Z is halogen or acetate, more preferably, it is Cl.

The preferred polar solvent is ethanol and the preferred acid catalyst is paratoluene sulfonic acid.

Several types of metallic complexes can be formed, one where the metal is coordinated to one ligand and one where the metal is coordinated to two ligands. The relative amounts of each ligand and metal unit depend upon the nature of ligand and of the metal. The amount of ligand must therefore be of at least one equivalent of ligand per metallic equivalent. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the metal is CrII and it is coordinated to one ligand or two ligands.

The present invention further discloses an active catalyst system comprising the metallic complex and an activating agent having an ionising action.

Suitable activating agents are well known in the art. The activating agent can be an aluminium alkyl represented by formula AIR⁺ _(n)X_(3−n)wherein R⁺ is an alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and X is a halogen. The preferred alkylating agents are triisobutyl aluminium (TIBAL) or triethyl aluminium (TEAL).

Alternatively and preferably, it is an aluminoxane and comprise oligomeric linear and/or cyclic alkyl aluminoxanes represented by formula

for oligomeric, linear aluminoxanes and by formula

for oligomeric, cyclic aluminoxane, wherein n is 1-40, preferably 10-20, m is 3-40, preferably 3-20 and R* is a C₁-C₈ alkyl group and preferably methyl.

The amount of activating is selected to give an AI/M ratio of from 100 to 3000, preferably of about 1000.

Suitable boron-containing activating agents may comprise a triphenylcarbenium boronate such as tetrakis-pentafluorophenyl-borato-triphenylcarbenium as described in EP-A-0427696, or those of the general formula [L′−H]+[B Ar₁ Ar₂ X₃ X₄]—as described in EP-A-0277004 (page 6, line 30 to page 7, line 7). The amount of boron-containing activating agent is selected to give B/M ratio of from 0.5 to 5, preferably of about 1.

The preferred activating agent is methylaluminoxane (MAO).

In another embodiment, according to the present invention, the metallic complex may be deposited on a conventional support impregnated with an activating agent.

Preferably, the conventional support is silica impregnated with methylaluminoxane (MAO). Alternatively, it can be an activating support such as fluorinated alumina silica.

The present invention further discloses a method for preparing an active catalyst system that comprises the steps of:

-   -   a) providing a carbonylamino fulvene ligand;     -   b) complexing the ligand of step a) with a metallic salt MZ_(n)         in a solvent with an acid catalyst;     -   c) retrieving a catalyst component;     -   d) optionally depositing the catalyst component of step c) on a         support;     -   e) activating the catalyst component of step c) or step d) with         an activating agent having an ionising action;     -   f) optionally adding a scavenger;     -   g) retrieving an active oligomerisation or polymerisation         catalyst system.

Alternatively, in step d), the catalyst component is deposited on a support impregnated with an activating agent or on an activating support. In that case, the activating step e) is not necessary.

The scavenger may be selected from triethylaluminium, triisobutylaluminum, tris-n-octylaluminium, tetraisobutyldialuminoxane or diethyl zinc.

The active catalyst system is used in the oligomerisation and in the polymerisation of ethylene and alpha-olefins.

The present invention discloses a method for the oligomerisation or the homo- or co-polymerisation of ethylene and alpha-olefins that comprises the steps of:

-   -   a) injecting the active catalyst system into the reactor;     -   b) injecting the monomer and optional comonomer;     -   c) maintaining under polymerisation conditions;     -   d) retrieving the oligomers and/or polymer.

The pressure in the reactor can vary from 0.5 to 60 bars, preferably from 15 to 45 bars. The productivity of the catalyst system increases with increasing pressure.

The polymerisation temperature can range from 10 to 100° C., preferably from 25 to 55° C. The productivity of the catalyst system decreases with increasing temperature.

Preferably the monomer and optional comonomer are selected from ethylene, propylene or 1-hexene.

The present invention also discloses the polymers obtained with the new catalyst systems.

LIST OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 represents examples of ligands prepared according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 represents the molecular structure of ligand D obtained by X-Ray.

FIG. 3 represents the molecular structure of the metallic compound resulting from the complexation of CrCl₂ with ligand L.

EXAMPLES Synthesis of Ligands

The ligands were prepared following methods similar to those described for example in Lloyd and Preston (D. Lloyd, N. W. Preston, J. Chem. Soc. C, 2464-2469, 1969.)

All reactives were purchased from commercially available sources and used without purification and the solvents were purified following standard procedures. The NMR spectra were recorded either on a Brücker ARX 200 spectrometer, at 200 MHz for ¹H spectra and at 50 MHz for ¹³C spectra, or on a Brücker AC 300P at 300 MHz for ¹H spectra and at 75 MHz for ¹³C spectra. Mass spectras were obtained with a high resolution mass spectrometer Varian MAT 311 and microanalyses were carried out on a Flash EA1112 CHNS/O Thermo Electron (Centre Regional de Mesures des Physiques de l'Ouest, Rennes, France). Crystallographic data collection, unit cell constant and space group determination were carried out on an automatic ‘Enraf Nonius FR590’ NONIUS Kappa CCD diffractometer with graphite monochromatised Mo—Kα radiation at 120 K. The cell parameters are obtained with Denzo and Scalepack with 10 frames (psi rotation: 1° per frame). The structure was solved with SIR-97. The whole structure was refined with SHELXL97 by the full-matrix least-square techniques.

Parallel Synthesis of Carbonylamino Fulvene Ligands.

Carbonylamino fulvene ligands A, B, C, D, . . . U were synthesised in parallel with a Büchi Syncore. In each tube, 0.2 to 0.6 mmol of hydroxycarbonyl fulvene were introduced with 1.1 equivalents of amine, 0.5 mg of paratoluene-sulfonic acid (PTSA) and 20 ml of ethanol.

The mixtures were heated for a period of time of 12 h at a temperature of 80° C. Ligands A, B, C, J, K and L were heated for 12 additional hours at a temperature of 110° C. Ligands D and H were crystallised from ethanol. Otherwise, the solvent was evaporated under vacuum for 1 night and crude products were purified by column chromatography on silica gel and dried over MgSO₄ to afford new carbonylamino fulvene ligands. Several ligands synthetised according to the present invention are displayed in FIG. 1. The results for different amines are displayed in TABLE I for benzylamine; in TABLE II for furfurylamine and in TABLE III for picolylamine.

TABLE I Synthesis with benzylamine. R1=

M _(hydroxycarbonylfulvene) (g/mol) m _(hydroxycarbonylfulvene) (mg) n _(hydroxycarbonylfulvene) (mmol) 286.41    165.6     0.578 274.31    168.2     0.613 386.53    218.5     0.565 454.56    109.7     0.241 334.37    200.0     0.598 454.16    167.6     0.369 254.24    105.1     0.413

V _(amine) (μL) n _(amine) (mmol) 69    0.636 74    0.674 68    0.622 29    0.265 72    0.658 44    0.406 50    0.455 A D G J M P S Purification EtOAc/C7 1/1 EtOAc/C7 1/1 recristallisation EtOH DCM/C7 2/1 recristallisation EtOH EtOAc/C7 1/1 EtOAc/C7 1/1

M _(carbonylaminofulvene) (g/mol) m _(carbonylaminofulvene) (mg) n _(carbonylaminofulvene) (mmol) 375.56    144       0.383 363.46    200       0.550 475.68    230       0.484 543.71    68      0.125 423.52    208       0.491 543.31    108       0.199 343.39    136       0.396 Yield (%) 66   90   86   52   82   54   96   EtOAc = ethyl acetate, DCM = dichloromethane, C7 = heptane, EtOH = ethanol

TABLE II Synthesis with furfurylamine R1 =

M _(hydroxycarbonylfulvene) (g/mol) m _(hydroxycarbonylfulvene) (mg) n _(hydroxycarbonylfulvene) (mmol) 286.41    164.0     0.573 274.31  161.8     0.590 386.53    221.7     0.574 454.56    108.6     0.239 334.37    168.2     0.503 454.16    168.2     0.370 254.24    120.6     0.474

V _(amine) (μL) n _(amine) (mmol) 69    0.630 71    0.649 69    0.631 29    0.263 49    0.553 44    0.407 57    0.522 B E H K N Q T Purification EtOAc/C7 1/1 EtOAc/C7 1/1 EtOAc/C7 1/1 DCM/C7 2/1 EtOAc/C7 1/1 EtOAc/C7 1/1 EtOAc/C7 1/1

M _(carbonylaminofulvene) (g/mol) m _(carbonylaminofulvene) (mg) n _(carbonylaminofulvene) (mmol) 365.53    178.0     0.487 353.43    195.0     0.552 465.65    206.0     0.442 533.68    93.0     0.174 413.49    76.0     0.183 533.28    108.0     0.203 333.36    153.0     0.459 Yield (%) 85   94   77   73   36   55   97   EtOAc = ethyl acetate, DCM = dichloromethane, C7 = heptane, EtOH = ethanol

TABLE III Synthesis with 2-picolylamine R1=

M _(hydroxycarbonylfulvene) (g/mol) m _(hydroxycarbonylfulvene) (mg) n _(hydroxycarbonylfulvene) (mmol) 286.41    174.7     0.610 274.31  158.1     0.576 386.53    223.7     0.579 454.56    205.6     0.452 334.37    170.3     0.509 454.16    161.8     0.356 254.24    114.3     0.450

V _(amine) (μL) n _(amine) (mmol) 73    0.671 69    0.634 70    0.637 54    0.498 61    0.560 43    0.392 54    0.495 C F I L O R U Purification EtOAc/C7 1/1 EtOAc/C7 1/1 EtOAc/C7 1/1 Ether/C7 1/1 EtOAc/C7 2/1 EtOAc/C7 2/1 EtOAc/C7 1/1

M _(carbonylaminofulvene) (g/mol) m _(carbonylarninofulvenen) (mg) n _(carbonylaminofulvene) (mmol) 376.55    187       0.497 364.45    193       0.530 476.67    187       0.392 544.70    174       0.319 424.51    129       0.304 544.30    109       0.200 344.38    93      0.270 Yield (%) 81   92   68   71   60   56   60   EtOAc = ethyl acetate, DCM = dichloromethane, C7 = heptane, EtOH = ethanol

Ligand A: 1-(cyclohexanoyl)-6-benzylamino-6-cyclohexyl fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.87 (1H, s, N¹⁶H), 7.31 (2H, d, J=0.03 Hz, C²H and C⁴H), 7.21 (5H, m, C¹⁹H, C^(2O)H and C²¹H), 6.19 (1H, s, C³H), 4.63 (2H, d, J=0.23 Hz, C¹⁷H), 3.44-2.75 (2H, m, C¹²H and C⁷H), 1.83-0.97 (20H, m, C⁸H, C⁹H, C¹⁰H, C¹³H, C¹⁴H, C¹⁵H)

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 199.23 (C¹¹), 173.58 (C⁶), 137.93 (C¹⁸), 131.82 (C²), 130.60 (C⁴), 128.84 (C²⁰), 127.67 (C²¹), 127.14 (C¹⁹), 123.97 (C¹), 117.01 (C⁵), 116.03 (C³), 47.87 (C¹⁷), 47.04 (C¹²), 42.03 (C¹⁵), 32.26 (C⁸), 31.06 (C¹⁰), 26.99 (C¹³), 26.32 (C¹⁴), 26.21 (C⁹), 25.85 (C⁷).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₆H₃₃NO) m/z=375.25621. found 375.2571 (2 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₂₆H₃₃NO: C, 83.15; H, 8.86; N, 3.73, O, 4.26. found C, 82.71; H, 8.91; N, 4.00.

Ligand B: 1-(cyclohexanoyl)-6-(furan-2-yl methyl)amino-6-cyclohexyl fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.92 (1H, s, N¹⁶H), 7.56 (1H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C²¹H) 7.43 (2H, d, J=0.025 Hz, C²H and C⁴H), 7.28 (1H, m, C²⁰H), 6.34-6.40 (2H, m, C³H and C¹⁹H), 4.78 (2H, d, J=0.24 Hz, C¹⁷H), 3.52-3.09 (2H, m, C¹²H and C⁷H), 2.19-1.31 (20H, m, C⁸H, C⁹H, C¹⁰H, C¹³H, C¹⁴H, C¹⁵H−

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 199.11 (C¹¹), 173.22 (C⁶), 150.40 (C¹⁸), 142.43 (C²¹), 132.02 (C²), 130.83 (C⁴), 124.01 (C¹), 117.06 (C⁵), 116.12 (C³), 110.68 (C²⁰), 107.90 (C¹⁹), 46.93 (C⁷), 41.74 (C¹⁰), 40.95 (C¹⁷), 32.44 (C¹³), 30.98 (C¹⁵), 27.00 (C⁸), 26.28 (C⁹), 26.17 (C¹⁴), 25.87 (C¹²).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₄H₃₁NO₂) m/z=365.23548. found 365.2344 (2 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₂₄H₃₁NO₂: C, 78.86; H, 8.55; N, 3.83, O, 8.75. found C, 78.54; H, 8.60; N, 3.89.

Ligand C: 1-(cyclohexanoyl)-6-(pyridine-2-methyl)amino-6-cyclohexyl fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 15.01 (1H, s, N¹⁶H), 8.59 (1H, d, J=0.01 Hz, C²²H), 7.68 (1H, t, J=0.025 Hz, C²⁰H), 7.45-7.51 (2H, m, C²H and C⁴H), 7.36 (1H, s, C¹⁹H), 7.22 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C²¹H), 6.34 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C³H), 4.92 (2H, d, J=0.26 Hz, C¹⁷H), 3.60-2.95 (2H, m, C¹²H and C₇H), 1.96-1.31 (20H, m, C⁸H, C⁹H, C¹⁰H−C¹³H, C¹⁴H, C¹⁵H)

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 199.72 (C¹¹), 173.84 (C⁶), 157.76 (C¹⁸), 149.35 (C²²), 137.09 (C¹⁹), 135.48 (C²⁰), 132.15 (C²), 130.88 (C⁴), 124.03 (C¹), 122.59 (C²¹), 117.06 (C⁵), 116.28 (C³), 49.88 (C¹⁷), 46.95 (C⁷), 41.86 (C¹⁰), 32.38 (C¹³), 31.02 (C¹⁵), 26.82 (C⁸), 26.26 (C⁹), 26.17 (C¹⁴), 25.76 (C¹²).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₅H₃₂N₂O) m/z=376.25146. found 376.2503 (3 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₂₅H₃₂N₂O: C, 79.75; H, 8.57; N, 7.44, O, 4.25. found C, 79.34; H, 8.67; N, 7.27.

Ligand D: 1-benzoyl-6-benzylamino-6-phenyl fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 15.28 (1H, s, N¹⁶H), 7.51 (2H, m, C¹³H), 7.20-6.88 (13H, m, C⁸H, C⁹H, C¹⁰H, C¹⁴H, C¹⁵H, C¹⁹H, C²⁰H, C²¹H), 6.74 (1H, m, C²H), 5.96 (1H, m, C⁴H), 5.75 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C³H), 3.68 (2H, d, J=0.03 Hz, C¹⁷H)

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 191.13 (C₁₁), 166.39 (C⁶), 142.42 (C¹²), 139.71 (C⁷), 137.05 (C¹⁸), 135.80 (C¹⁵), 134.04 (C¹⁰), 129.94 (C²), 129.72 (C⁴), 128.94 (C²⁰), 128.92 (C¹³), 128.40 (C¹⁴), 128.32 (C⁹), 127.87 (C⁸), 127.82 (C²¹), 127.47 (C¹⁹), 125.35 (C¹), 119.98 (C⁵), 118.20 (C³), 49.76 (C¹⁷).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₆H₂₁NO) m/z=363.16231. found 363.1594 (1 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₂₆H₂₁NO: C, 85.92; H, 5.82; N, 3.85, O, 4.40. found C, 85.46; H, 6.06; N, 3.99.

Cristallography. Single crystals of compound D suitable for a single crystal X-ray determination were obtained by evaporation of a saturated solution in THF.

Empirical formula C26 H21 N O Formula weight 363.44 Temperature 120(2) K Wavelength 0.71073 A Crystal system, space group Monoclinic, P 21/c Unit cell dimensions a = 6.22050(10) A alpha = 90 deg. b = 17.5271(3) A beta = 91.6710(10) deg. c = 18.2524(3) A gamma = 90 deg. Volume 1989.16(6) A³ Z, Calculated density 4, 1.214 Mg/m³ Absorption coefficient 0.073 mm⁻¹ F(000) 768 Crystal size 0.2 × 0.15 × 0.1 mm Theta range for data collection 3.22 to 27.47 deg. Limiting indices −8 <= h <= 8, −22 <= k <= 22, −23 <= l <= 23 Reflections collected/unique 8885/4522 [R(int) = 0.0472] Completeness to theta = 27.47 99.3% Absorption correction none Refinement method Full-matrix least-squares on F² Data/restraints/parameters 4522/0/257 Goodness-of-fit on F{circumflex over ( )}2 1.078 Final R indices [I > R1 = 0.0607, wR2 = 0.1598 2sigma(I)] R indices (all data) R1 = 0.0736, wR2 = 0.1702 Extinction coefficient 0.075(9) Largest diff. peak and hole 0.337 and −0.271 e.A⁻³

The molecular structure of ligand D obtained by X-Ray is displayed in FIG. 2.

Ligand E: 1-benzoyl-6-(1-(furan-2-methyl)amino)-6-phenyl fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.36 (1H, s, N¹⁶H), 7.83 (2H, m, C¹³H), 7.59-7.50 (8H, m, C⁸H, C⁹H, C¹⁰H−C¹⁴H, C¹⁵H), 7.43 (1H, d, J=0.01 Hz, C²H), 7.20 (1H, m, C²¹H), 6.50 (1H, t, J=0.01 Hz, C²⁰H), 6.37 (1H, m, C⁴H), 6.33-6.30 (2H, m, C³H and C¹⁹H), 4.49 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C¹⁷H)

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 191.13 (C¹¹), 166.07 (C⁶), 149.82 (C¹⁸), 142.82 (C²¹), 142.30 (C¹²), 139.99 (C⁷), 135.95 (C¹⁵), 133.85 (C¹⁰), 129.95 (C²), 129.77 (C⁴), 128.92 (C¹³), 128.53 (C¹⁴), 128.35 (C⁹), 127.84 (C⁸), 125.48 (C¹), 119.92 (C⁵), 118.35 (C³), 110.64 (C²⁰), 108.22 (C¹⁹), 42.93 (C¹⁷).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₄H₁₉NO₂) m/z=353.14158. found 353.1417 (0 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₂₄H₁₉NO₂: C, 81.56; H, 5.42; N, 3.96, O, 9.05. found C, 80.35, H, 5.64; N, 4.13.

Ligand F: 1-benzoyl-6-(1-(pyridine-2-methyl)amino)-6-phenyl fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.49 (1H, s, N¹⁶H), 8.56 (1H, d, J=0.01 Hz, C²²H), 7.80 (2H, m, C¹³H), 7.70 (1H, t, J=0.025 Hz, C²⁰H), 7.54-7.42 (9H, m, C⁸H, C⁹H, C¹⁰H, C¹⁴H, C¹⁵H, and C¹⁹H), 7.22-7.17 (2H, m, C²H, C²¹H), 6.48 (1H, m, C⁴H), 6.28 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C³H), 4.67 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C¹⁷H)

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 191.14 (C¹¹), 166.69 (C⁶), 156.79 (C¹⁸), 149.59 (C²²), 142.27 (C⁷), 139.99 (C¹²), 137.13 (C²⁰), 136.02 (C¹⁰), 133.89 (C¹⁵), 129.95 (C²), 129.72 (C⁴), 128.92 (C¹³), 128.31 (C¹⁴), 128.30 (C⁹), 127.81 (C⁸), 125.50 (C⁵), 122.60 (C¹⁹), 121.31 (C²¹), 119.97 (C¹), 118.33 (C³), 51.41 (C¹⁷).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₅H₂₀N₂O) m/z=364.15756. found 364.1557 (5 ppm).

Anal. Cald for: C, 82.39; H, 5.53; N, 7.69, O, 4.39. found C, 82.53; H, 5.56; N, 7.61.

Ligand G: 1-(4-tertbutylbenzoyl)-6-benzylamino-6-(4-tertbutylphenyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.32 (1H, s, N²⁰H), 7.57 (2H, m, C¹⁵H), 7.40-7.13 (11H, m, C⁸H, C⁹H, C¹⁶H, C²³H−C²⁴H, C²⁵H), 6.34 (1H, m, C²H), 6.11 (1H, m, C⁴H), 5.17 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C³H), 4.38 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C²¹H), 1.30 (18H, d, J=0.03 Hz, C¹²H₃ and C¹⁹H₃).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 191.05 (C¹³), 166.71 (C⁶), 153.13 (C¹⁷), 152.84 (C¹⁰), 139.50 (C¹⁴), 139.28 (C⁷), 137.13 (C²²), 135.51 (C²), 131.01 (C⁴), 128.87 (C²⁴), 128.79 (C⁸), 128.20 (C⁹), 127.63 (C¹⁶), 127.44 (C¹⁶), 125.19 (C²⁵), 125.07 (C²³), 124.70 (C¹), 119.92 (C⁵), 117.70 (C³), 49.68 (C²¹), 34.92 (C¹¹ and C¹⁸), 31.35 (C¹² and C¹⁹).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₃₄H₃₇NO) m/z=475.28752. found. 475.2899 (5 ppm)

Anal. Cald for C₃₄H₃₇NO: C, 85.85; H, 7.84; N, 2.94, O, 3.36. found C, 86.13; H, 7.99; N, 2.99.

Ligand H: 1-(4-tertbutylbenzoyl)-6-(1-(furan-2-methyl)amino)-6-(4-tertbutylphenyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.14 (1H, s, N²⁰H), 7.56 (2H, d, J=0.03 Hz, C¹⁵H), 7.42-7.27 (6H, m, C⁸H−C⁹H, C¹⁶H), 7.23 (1H, s, C²H), 7.03 (1H, d′, J=0.01 Hz, C²⁵H), 6.32 (1H, t, J=0.01 Hz, C²⁴H), 6.18-6.09 (1H, m, C³H, C⁴H and C²³H), 4.32 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C²¹H), 1.26 (18H, d, J=0.03 Hz, C¹²H₃ and C¹⁹H₃)

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 191.09 (C¹³), 166.41 (C⁶), 153.17 (C¹⁷), 152.91 (C¹⁰), 149.98 (C²²), 142.66 (C²⁵), 139.62 (C¹⁴), 139.46 (C⁷), 135.72 (C²), 130.88 (C⁴), 128.93 (C⁸), 128.38 (C⁹), 125.39 (C¹⁶), 125.15 (C¹⁵), 124.71 (C¹), 119.93 (C⁵), 117.92 (C³), 110.58 (C²⁴), 108.08 (C²³), 42.99 (C²¹), 34.88 (C¹¹ and C¹⁸), 31.39 (C¹² and C¹⁹).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₃₂H₃₅NO₂) m/z=465.26678. found 465.2669 (0 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₃₂H₃₅NO₂: C, 82.54; H, 7.58; N, 3.01, O, 3.01. found C, 81.98; H, 7.57; N, 3.14.

Ligand I: 1-(4-tertbutylbenzoyl)-6-(1-(pyridine-2-methyl)amino)-6-(4-tertbutylphenyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.35 (1H, s, N²⁰H), 8.37 (1H, m, C²⁶H). 7.54 (2H, m, C¹⁵H), 7.48 (1H, d, C²⁴H), 7.35-7.19 (7H, m, C⁸H−C⁹H, C¹⁶H, C²H), 7.05 (1H, m, C²³H), 7.01 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C²⁵H), 6.34 (1H, m, C⁴H), 6.11 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C³H), 4.52 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C²¹H), 1.24 (18H, s, C¹²H₃ and C¹⁹H₃)

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 191.07 (C¹³), 167.04 (C⁶), 157.02 (C²⁶), 153.21 (C¹⁷), 152.85 (C¹⁰), 149.53 (C²⁴), 139.70 (C⁷), 139.46 (C¹⁴), 137.12 (C²³), 135.90 (C²), 130.93 (C⁴), 128.99 (C⁸), 128.21 (C⁹), 125.46 (C¹⁶), 125.16 (C¹⁵), 124.74 (C¹), 122.50 (C²²), 121.24 (C²⁵), 120.06 (C⁵), 118.02 (C³), 51.47 (C²¹), 34.92 (C¹¹ and C¹⁸), 31.39 (C¹² and C¹⁹).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₃₃H₃₆N₂O) m/z=476.28276. found 476.2830 (0 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₃₃H₃₆N₂O: C, 83.15; H, 7.61; N, 5.88, O, 3.36. found C, 82.65; H, 7.77; N, 5.81.

Ligand J: 1-(diphenylacetyl)-6-benzylamino-6-(diphenylmethyl)fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.95 (1H, s, N¹⁸H), 7.64 (1H, m, C²H), 7.38-7.10 (25H, m, C⁹H, C¹⁰H−C¹¹H, C¹⁵H, C¹⁶H, C¹⁷H, C²¹H, C²²H and C²³H), 7.04 (1H, m, C⁴H), 6.31 (1H, s, C¹³H), 6.25-6.22 (2H, m, C³H and C⁷H,), 4.54 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C¹⁹H).

¹³C NMR(CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 193.03 (C¹²), 167.51 (C⁶), 141.30 (C¹⁴), 138.85 (C⁸), 136.42 (C²⁰), 134.93 (C²), 133.10 (C⁴), 129.27 (C¹⁶), 128.95 (C¹⁵), 128.92 (C¹⁰), 128.58 (C²²), 128.39 (C⁹), 127.31 (C¹⁷), 126.96 (C²¹), 126.65 (C¹¹), 125.92 (C¹), 120.39 (C⁵), 117.60 (C³), 58.95 (C¹³), 52.10 (C¹⁹), 49.46 (C⁷).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₄₀H₃₃NO) m/z=543.25621. found 543.2539 (4 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₄₀H₃₃NO: C, 88.36; H, 6.12; N, 2.58, O, 2.94. found C, 87.74; H, 6.07; N, 2.52.

Ligand K: 1-(diphenylacetyl)-6-(1-(furan-2-methyl)amino)-6-(diphenylmethyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.80 (1H, s, N¹⁸H), 7.64 (1H, m, C²H), 7.45-7.27 (21H, m, C⁹H, C¹⁰H, C¹¹H, C¹⁵H, C¹⁶H, C¹⁷H and C²³H), 7.07 (1H, m, C⁴H), 6.44 (1H, s, C¹³H), 6.32 (1H, m, C²²H), 6.25 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C³H), 6.19 (1H, s, C²¹H), 4.42 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C¹⁹H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 192.99 (C¹²), 167.02 (C⁶), 149.35 (C²⁰), 142.34 (C²³), 141.27 (C¹⁴), 138.66 (C⁸), 135.22 (C²), 133.07 (C⁴), 129.27 (C¹⁶), 128.99 (C¹⁵), 128.93 (C¹⁰), 128.36 (C⁹), 127.36 (C¹⁷), 126.62 (C¹¹), 126.01 (C¹), 120.29 (C⁵), 117.74 (C³), 110.52 (C²²), 107.87 (C²¹), 58.94 (C¹³), 52.10 (C¹⁹), 43.26 (C⁷).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₃₈H₃₁NO₂) m/z=533.23548. found 533.2349 (1 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₃₈H₃₁NO₂: C, 85.52; H, 5.86; N, 2.62, O, 6.00. found C, 85.27; H, 5.95; N, 2.59.

Ligand L: 1-(diphenylacetyl)-6-(1-(pyridine-2-methyl)amino)-6-(diphenylmethyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.94 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, N¹⁸H,), 8.45 (1H, d, J=0.02 Hz C²⁴H), 7.68 (1H, m, C²H), 7.50 (1H, t, J=0.03 Hz C²²H), 7.46-7.27 (21H, m, C⁹H, C¹⁰H, C¹¹H, C¹⁵H, C¹⁶H, C¹⁷H, C²¹H and C²³H), 7.09 (1H, m, C⁴H), 6.39 (1H, s, C¹³H), 6.27 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C³H), 6.25 (1H, s, C⁷H), 4.76 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C¹⁹H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 193.22 (C¹²), 167.99 (C⁶), 156.45 (C²⁴), 149.16 (C²²), 141.25 (C¹⁴), 138.54 (C⁸), 136.60 (C²¹), 135.50 (C²), 133.42 (C⁴), 129.27 (C¹⁶), 129.00 (C¹⁵), 128.85 (C¹⁰), 128.42 (C⁹), 127.22 (C¹⁷), 126.68 (C¹¹), 126.06 (C¹), 122.20 (C²²), 120.8 (C²⁵), 120.38 (C⁵), 117.90 (C³), (C²²), (C²¹), 59.03 (C¹³), 52.06 (C¹⁹), 51.17 (C⁷).

HRMS: Calcd. For M+. (C₃₉H₃₂N₂O) m/z=544.25146. found 544.2533 (3 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₃₉H₃₂N₂O: C, 86.00; H, 5.92; N, 5.14, O, 2.94. found C, 86.08; H, 6.14; N, 4.80.

Ligand M: 1-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-6-(benzylamino)-6-(4-methoxyphenyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.26 (1H, s, N¹⁸H), 7.64 (2H, m, C¹⁴H), 7.22-7.12 (7H, m, C⁸H, C²¹H, C²²H and C²³H), 7.03 (1H, m, C²H), 6.90 (4H, m, C⁹H and C¹⁵H), 6.12 (1H, m, C⁴H), 3.77 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C³H), 4.39 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C¹⁹H), 3.78 (3H, s, C¹⁷H), 3.77 (3H, s, C¹¹H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 190.41 (C¹²), 166.52 (C⁶), 161.26 (C¹⁶), 160.56 (C¹⁰), 138.87 (C²⁰), 137.27 (C¹³), 135.20 (C²), 134.82 (C⁴), 131.06 (C¹⁵), 130.01 (C⁹), 128.81 (C²²), 127.61 (C²³), 127.28 (C²¹), 126.14 (C⁷), 125.19 (C¹), 120.09 (C⁵), 117.59 (C³), 113.56 (C¹⁴), 113.06 (C⁸), 55.42 (C¹⁷), 55.40 (C¹¹), 49.57 (C¹⁹).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₈H₂₅NO₃) m/z=423.18344. found 423.1821 (3 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₂₈H₂₅NO₃: C, 79.41; H, 5.95; N, 3.31, O, 11.33. found C, 79.62; H, 5.95; N, 3.36.

Ligand N: 1-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-6-(1-(furan-2-methyl)amino)-6-(4methoxyphenyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.07 (1H, s, N¹⁸H), 7.63 (2H, d, J=0.04 Hz, C¹⁴H), 7.29 (2H, d, J=0.04 Hz, C⁸H), 7.27 (1H, m, C²³H), 7.03 (1H, m, C²H), 6.92 (2H, d, J=0.04 Hz, C¹⁵H), 6.83 (2H, d, J=0.04 Hz, C⁹H), 6.33 (1H, m, C⁴H), 6.22 (1H, m, C²²H), 6.15 (1H, d, J=0.01 Hz, C²¹H), 6.12 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C³H), 4.35 (2H, D, J=0.02 Hz, C¹⁹H), 3.80 (3H, s, C¹⁷H), 3.78 (3H, s, C¹¹H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 190.41 (C¹²), 166.52 (C⁶), 161.26 (C¹⁶), 160.56 (C¹⁰), 142.64 (C²³), 139.15 (C²⁰), 137.27 (C¹³), 135.35 (C²), 134.82 (C⁴), 131.07 (C¹⁵), 130.17 (C⁹), 126.14 (C⁷), 125.19 (C¹), 120.09 (C⁵), 117.74 (C³), 113.60 (C¹⁴), 113.02 (C⁸), 110.51 (C²²), 107.96 (C²¹), 55.40 (C¹⁷ and C¹¹), 42.84 (C¹⁹).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₆H₂₃NO₄) m/z=413.16271. found 413.1614 (3 ppm)

Anal. Cald for: C, 75.53; H, 5.61; N, 3.39, O, 15.48. found C, 74.96; H, 5.59; N, 3.36.

Ligand O: 1-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-6-(1-(pyridine-2-methyl)amino)-6-(4-methoxyphenyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.38 (1H, s, N¹⁸H), 8.53 (1H, d, J=0.01 Hz, C²⁴H), 7.80 (2H, d, J=0.03 Hz, C¹⁴H), 7.70 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C²²H), 7.42 (1H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C²¹H), 7.33 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C⁸H), 7.22-7.17 (2H, m, C²H and C²³H), 6.96 (4H, d, J=0.03 Hz, C¹⁵H and C⁹H), 6.47 (1H, m, C⁴H), 6.26 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C³H), 4.67 (2H, d, J=0.03 Hz, C¹⁹H), 3.88 (3H, s, C¹⁷H), 3.87 (3H, s, C¹¹H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 190.46 (C¹²), 166.80 (C⁶), 161.35 (C¹⁶), 160.55 (C¹⁰), 156.90 (C²⁴), 149.01 (C²²), 139.34 (C²⁰), 137.61 (C¹³), 135.57 (C²), 134.68 (C⁴), 131.14 (C¹⁵), 130.01 (C⁹), 125.90 (C⁷), 125.44 (C¹), 122.65 (C²¹), 121.45 (C²³), 120.19 (C⁵), 117.92 (C³), 113.67 (C¹⁴), 113.08 (C⁸), 55.39 (C¹⁷ and C¹¹), 50.99 (C¹⁹).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₇H₂₄N₂O₃) m/z=424.17869. found 424.1775 (2 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₂₇H₂₄N₂O₃: C, 76.39; H, 5.70; N, 6.60, O, 11.31. found C, 76.20; H, 5.73; N, 6.77.

Ligand P: 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-6-(benzylamino)-6-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.36 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, N²⁰H), 7.33-7.22 (6H, m, C²H, C²³H, C²⁴H and C²⁵H), 7.03 (2H, s, C¹⁵H), 6.57 (1H, m, C⁴H), 6.51 (2H, s, C⁸H), 6.27 (1H, t, J=0.01 Hz, C³H), 4.50 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C²¹H), 3.92 (12H, s, C¹¹H and C¹⁸H), 3.74 (6H, s, C¹²H and C¹⁹H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 190.40 (C¹³), 166.52 (C⁶), 152.95 (C¹⁶), 152.60 (C⁹), 139.70 (C¹⁷), 139.39 (C¹⁰), 138.70 (C¹⁴), 137.58 (C²²), 137.53 (C²), 135.64 (C⁴), 128.96 (C⁷), 128.80 (C²⁴), 127.64 (C²³), 124.78 (C¹), 119.46 (C⁵), 118.17 (C³), 106.42 (C¹⁵), 105.63 (C⁸), 61.05 (C¹⁹), 60.94 (C¹²), 56.26 (C¹⁸), 56.12 (C¹¹), 49.56 (C²¹).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₃₂H₃₃NO₇) m/z=543.22570. found 543.2273 (2 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₃₂H₃₃NO₇: C, 70.70; H, 6.12; N, 2.58, O, 20.60. found C, 70.93; H, 6.21; N, 2.61.

Ligand Q: 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-6-(1-(furan-2-methyl)amino)-6-(3,4,5-trimethoxy phenyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.13 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, N²⁰H), 7.38 (1H, m, C²⁵H), 7.21 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C²H), 7.00 (1H, s, C¹⁵H), 6.69 (1H, s, C⁸H), 6.58 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C⁴H), 6.34 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C²⁴H), 6.29-6.25 (2H, m, C³H and C²³H), 4.47 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C²¹H), 3.96 (3H, s, C¹⁹H), 3.92 (3H, s, C¹²H), 3.91 (6H, s. C¹⁸H), 3.87 (6H, s, C¹¹H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 190.37 (C¹³), 166.03 (C⁶), 153.08 (C¹⁶), 152.57 (C⁹), 149.95 (C²⁵), 142.65 (C²²), 139.70 (C¹⁷), 139.63 (C¹⁰), 138.82 (C¹⁴), 137.44 (C²), 135.86 (C⁴), 128.82 (C⁷), 124.92 (C¹), 119.39 (C⁵), 118.31 (C³), 110.61 (C²²), 108.12 (C¹⁵), 105.85 (C⁸), 61.06 (C¹⁹), 60.93 (C¹²), 56.27 (C¹⁸), 56.25 (C¹¹), 42.92 (C²¹).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₃₀H₃₁NO₈) m/z=533.20497. found 533.2035 (2 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₃₀H₃₁NO₈: C, 67.53; H, 5.86; N, 2.63, O, 23.99. found C, 67.82. H, 5.99; N, 4.94.

Ligand R: 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-6-(1-(Pyridine-2-methyl)amino)-6-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 14.30 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, N²⁰H−, 8.55 (1H, d, J=0.01 Hz, C²⁶H), 7.70 (1H, t, J=0.02 Hz, C²⁴H), 7.38 (1H, d, J=0.03 Hz, C²³H), 7.24-7.18 (2H, m, C²H and C²⁵H), 7.02 (1H, s, C¹⁵H), 6.62 (1H, s, C⁸H), 6.58 (1H, q, J=0.02 Hz, C⁴H), 6.27 (1H, t, J=0.01 Hz, C³H), 4.65 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C²¹H), 3.92 (12H, s, C¹¹H and C¹⁸H), 3.75 (6H, s, C¹²H and C¹⁹H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 190.38 (C¹³), 166.68 (C⁶), 157.03 (C²⁶), 152.98 (C¹⁶), 152.56 (C⁹), 149.60 (C²⁵), 139.62 (C¹⁷ and C¹⁰), 138.82 (C¹⁴), 137.46 (C²), 137.01 (C²²), 135.94 (C⁴), 128.89 (C⁷), 124.96 (C¹), 122.58 (C²⁵), 121.36 (C²³), 119.50 (C⁵), 118.31 (C³), 106.48 (C¹⁵), 105.80 (C⁸), 61.01 (C¹⁹), 60.93 (C¹²), 56.24 (C¹⁸), 56.15 (C¹¹), 51.27 (C²¹).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₃₁H₃₂N₂O₇) m/z=544.22095. found 544.2181 (5 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₃₁H₃₂N₂O₇: C, 68.37; H, 5.92; N, 5.14, O, 20.56. found C, 68.16; H, 6.02; N, 4.96.

Ligand S: 1-furanoyl-6-benzylamino-6-furanyl fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 13.90 (1H, s, N¹⁶H), 7.80 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C¹⁵H), 7.68-7.67 (2H, m, C¹⁰H and C¹³H), 7.35-7.21 (5H, m, C¹⁹H, C²⁰H and C²¹H). 7.20 (1H, m, C²H), 6.92 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C¹⁴H), 6.76 (1H, d, J=0.01 Hz, C⁸H), 6.59-6.57 (2H, m, C⁴H and C⁹H), 6.39 (1H, t, J=0.01 Hz, C³H), 4.65 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C¹⁷H)

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 176.37 (C¹¹), 154.33 (C⁷), 153.95 (C¹²), 146.13 (C⁶), 145.32 (C¹⁵), 144.65 (C¹⁰), 137.64 (C²), 137.07 (C¹⁸), 134.91 (C⁴), 128.73 (C²⁰), 127.69 (C²¹), 127.44 (C¹⁹), 124.71 (C¹), 119.88 (C⁵), 118.83 (C³), 117.55 (C¹³), 117.34 (C¹⁴), 11.60 (C⁸), 111.45 (C⁹), 50.03 (C¹⁷).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₂H₁₇NO₃) m/z=343.12084. found 343.1210 (0 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₂₂H₁₇NO₃: C, 76.95; H, 4.99; N, 4.08, O, 13.98. found C, 76.75; H, 5.15; N, 3.95.

Ligand T: 1-(furanoyl)-6-(1-(furan-2-methyl)amino)-6-(furanyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 13.76 (1H, s, N¹⁶H), 7.79 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C¹⁵H), 7.70 (1H, m, C¹⁰H), 7.66 (1H, m, C¹³H), 7.36 (1H, m, C¹⁹H), 7.19 (1H, d, J=0.01 Hz, C²H), 6.91 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C¹⁴H), 6.84 (1H, d, J=0.01 Hz, C²¹H), 6.62 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C²⁰H), 6.56 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C⁴H), 6.38 (1H, t, J=0.01 Hz, C³H), 6.31 (1H, m, C⁸H), 6.27 (1H, m, C⁹H), 4.62 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C¹⁷H)

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 176.36 (C¹¹), 153.93 (C⁷), 153.85 (C¹²), 149.92 (C²¹), 146.01 (C⁶), 145.32 (C¹⁵), 144.80 (C¹⁰), 142.61 (C¹⁸), 137.94 (C²), 134.98 (C⁴), 124.84 (C¹), 119.83 (C⁵), 119.82 (C³), 117.59 (C¹³ and C¹⁴), 111.60 (C⁸), 111.52 (C⁹), 110.52 (C²⁰), 108.02 (C¹⁹), 43.07 (C¹⁷).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₀H₁₅NO₄) m/z=333.10011. found 333.1008 (2 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₂₀H₁₅NO₄: C, 72.06; H, 4.54; N, 4.20, O, 19.20. found C, 72.11; H, 4.55; N, 4.18.

Ligand U: 1-(furanoyl)-6-(1-(pyridine-2-methyl)amino)-6-(furanyl) fulvene

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, ppm) δ: 13.90 (1H, s, N¹⁶H), 8.54 (1H, d, J=0.02 Hz. C²²H), 7.80 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C¹⁵H), 7.70-7.60 (3H, m, C¹⁰H, C¹³H and C²⁴H), 7.42 (1H, d, J=0.03 Hz, C¹⁹H), 7.21-7.17 (2H, m, C²¹H and C²H), 6.92 (1H, q, J=0.01 Hz, C¹⁴H), 6.79 (1H, d, J=0.01 Hz, C⁸H), 6.57-6.54 (2H, m, C⁴H and C⁹H), 6.38 (1H, t, J=0.01 Hz, C³H), 4.78 (2H, d, J=0.02 Hz, C¹⁷H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz, ppm) δ: 176.40 (C¹¹), 157.15 (C²²), 154.59 (C⁷), 153.92 (C¹²), 149.35 (C²⁰), 145.94 (C⁶), 145.35 (C¹⁵), 144.92 (C¹⁰), 137.98 (C²), 137.01 (C¹⁸), 135.15 (C⁴), 124.88 (C¹), 122.45 (C¹⁹), 121.25 (C²¹), 119.87 (C⁵), 119.07 (C³), 117.63 (C¹³) 117.59 (C¹⁴), 111.61 (C⁸), 111.37 (C⁹), 51.77 (C¹⁷).

HRMS: Calcd. for M+. (C₂₁H₁₆N₂O₃) m/z=344.11609. found 344.1155 (1 ppm).

Anal. Cald for C₂₁H₁₆N₂O₃: C, 73.24; H, 4.68; N, 8.13, O, 13.94. found C, 72.77; H, 4.73; N, 7.76.

Preparation of Metallic Complexes from Carbonylaminofulvenes

CrCl₃/Ligand A Complex.

7.51 mg (20 μmol) of ligand A and 3.75 mg (10 μmol) of CrCl₃.3THF were introduced in a Schlenk with 100 μL of tetrahydrofuran (THF). The mixture was placed under stirring for 2 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum overnight to yield a yellow brown solid.

CrCl₂/Ligand A Complex.

7.51 mg (20 μmol) of ligand A and 1.23 (10 μmol) of CrCl₂ were introduced in a Schlenk with 100 μL of THF. The mixture was placed under stirring for 2 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum overnight to yield a yellow brown solid.

CrCl₃/Ligand D Complex.

7.27 mg (20 μmol) of ligand D and 3.75 mg (10 μmol) of CrCl₃.3THF were introduced in a Schlenk with 100 μL of tetrahydrofuran (THF). The mixture was placed under stirring for 2 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum overnight to yield a yellow brown solid.

CrCl₃/Ligand H Complex.

9.31 mg (20 μmol) of ligand H and 3.75 mg (10 μmol) of CrCl₃.3THF were introduced in a Schlenk with 100 μL of tetrahydrofuran (THF). The mixture was placed under stirring for 2 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum overnight to yield a yellow brown solid.

CrCl₃/Ligand E Complex.

7.07 mg (20 μmol) of ligand E and 3.75 mg (10 μmol) of CrCl₃.3THF were introduced in a Schlenk with 100 μL of tetrahydrofuran (THF). The mixture was placed under stirring for 2 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum overnight to yield a red brown solid.

CrCl₃/Ligand C Complex.

7.53 mg (20 μmol) of ligand C and 3.75 mg (10 μmol) of CrCl₃.3THF were introduced in a Schlenk with 100 μL of tetrahydrofuran (THF). The mixture was placed under stirring for 2 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum overnight to yield a yellow brown solid.

CrCl₃/Ligand B Complex.

7.31 mg (20 μmol) of ligand B and 3.75 mg (10 μmol) of CrCl₃.3THF were introduced in a Schlenk with 100 μL of tetrahydrofuran (THF). The mixture was placed under stirring for 2 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum overnight to yield a yellow brown solid.

CrCl₃/Ligand O Complex.

8.49 mg (20 μmol) of ligand O and 3.75 mg (10 μmol) of CrCl₃.3THF were introduced in a Schlenk with 100 μL of tetrahydrofuran (THF). The mixture was placed under stirring for 2 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum overnight to yield a yellow brown solid.

CrCl₃/Ligand L Complex.

10.89 mg (20 μmol) of ligand L and 3.75 mg (10 μmol) of CrCl₃.3THF were introduced in a Schlenk with 100 μL of tetrahydrofuran (THF). The mixture was placed under stirring for 2 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum overnight to yield a yellow brown solid.

CrCl₂/Ligand L Complex.

10.89 mg (20 μmol) of ligand L and 1.23 (10 μmol) of CrCl₂ were introduced in a Schlenk with 100 μL of THF. The mixture was placed under stirring for 2 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum overnight to yield a yellow brown solid.

The complex was recrystallised by slow diffusion of pentane in a saturated solution of the complex in THF. The crytals obtained were suitable for X-Ray analysis. The complex crystallises in a monoclinic environment with space group P 21/c. The chromium atom is coordinated by one molecule of tridentate fulvene by its oxygen atom and its two nitrogen atoms. The chromium atom is further coordinated by two chlorine atom and a THF molecule. This can be seen in FIG. 3. The complex is characterised as follows.

Empirical formula C43 H39 Cl2 Cr N2 O2 Formula weight 738.66 Temperature 100(2) K Wavelength 0.71073 A Crystal system, space group Monoclinic, P 21/c Unit cell dimensions a = 14.987(2) A alpha = 90 deg. b = 14.175(2) A beta = 99.485(9) deg. c = 17.412(3) A gamma = 90 deg. Volume 3648.4(9) A{circumflex over ( )}3 Z, Calculated density 4, 1.345 Mg/m{circumflex over ( )}3 Absorption coefficient 0.500 mm{circumflex over ( )}−1 F(000) 1540 Crystal size 0.2 × 0.2 × 0.03 mm Theta range for data collection 2.92 to 27.48 deg. Limiting indices −19 <= h <= 19, −18 <= k <= 11, −22 <= l <= 22 Reflections collected/unique 38703/8296 [R(int) = 0.0659] Completeness to theta = 27.48 99.2% Absorption correction Semi-empirical from equivalents Max. and min. transmission 0.985 and 0.885 Refinement method Full-matrix least-squares on F{circumflex over ( )}2 Data/restraints/parameters 8296/0/451 Goodness-of-fit on F{circumflex over ( )}2 1.030 Final R indices [I > R1 = 0.0423, wR2 = 0.0840 2sigma(I)] R indices (all data) R1 = 0.0728, wR2 = 0.0941 Largest diff. peak and hole 0.331 and −0.492 e.A{circumflex over ( )}−3 Homogeneous polymerisation of ethylene.

The metallic catalyst component were activated with 1.625 mL of methylaluminoxane (MAO). The solution was stirred for 5 minutes and then diluted with 3.375 mL of toluene. The reactor was dried under nitrogen at a temperature of 90° C. for a period of time of 30 minutes. The reactor was brought to a polymerisation temperature of 35° C. and 50 mL of toluene were added to the reactor under nitrogen. A scavenger solution consisting of 0.5 mL of MAO (30%) and 4.5 mL of toluene was added to the reactor and the solution was stirred for a few minutes. The solution of activated catalyst was added to the reactor under nitrogen. The flux of nitrogen was interrupted, the reactor was purged and placed under an ethylene pressure of 15 bars. It was placed under stirring for a period of time of 1 h. The reactor was purged and the polymerisation was stopped by adding a 10% solution of MeOH/HCl. The polymer was washed 3 times with 30 mL of MeOH and 3 times with 30 mL of acetone. The polymer was dried under vacuum overnight at room temperature. The results are summarised in Table IV for the chromium-based catalyst systems.

TABLE IV Activity Tm M/L m PE (g) (kg_(PE)/(mol · h) Mn (° C.) CrCl₃/A 0.941 94.1 — 137 CrCl₂/A 0.976 97.6 insoluble 137 CrCl₃/D 0.995 99.5 unfilterable 119 CrCl₃/H 1.045 104.5 unfilterable 135 CrCl₃/E 1.244 124.4 insoluble 129 CrCl₃/C 1.283 128.3 unfilterable 135 CrCl₃/B 2.895 289.5 unfilterable 133 CrCl₃/O 3.648 364.8 insoluble 136 CrCl₃/L 5.415 541.5 insoluble 135 CrCl₂/L 6.915 691.5 insoluble 136

For all polymerisations, the conditions were as follows: Cr 10 μmol, ligand 20 μmol, polymerisation temperature 35° C., ethylene pressure 15 bars, 1000 eq. MAO, solvent: toluene, polymerisation time 1 h.

The highest activities were obtained with the catalyst systems based on CrCl₃/ligand L and CrCl₂/ligand L. As depicted in Table V, CrCl₂ based system is a selective catalyst whereas CrCl₃ based system is a mixed polymer/oligomer catalyst.

TABLE V Activity Consumption M/L m PE (g) (kg_(PE)/(mol · h) (kg_(C2H4)/(mol · h)) CrCl₂/L 4.11 411 385 CrCl₃/L 3.38 338 590

For all polymerisations, the conditions were as follows: Cr 10 μmol, ligand 20 μmol, polymerisation temperature 35° C., ethylene pressure 15 bars, 1000 eq. MAO, solvent: toluene, polymerisation time 1 h.

The activity of the system CrCl₂/ligand L has been studied as a function of temperature and of ethylene pressure. The results are displayed in Table VI. It can be concluded that the activity of the catalyst system increases with increasing pressure and decreases when the temperature is raised above 35° C. It can also be concluded that the activity increases with a lower amount of catalyst.

TABLE VI 5 μmol Cr 2.5/μmol Cr (kg_(PE)/(mol · h) 15 bars 45 bars 45 bars 25° C. 773

1 722 3 606 35° C. 1 016   1 341 2 790 55° C. 619   806 1 196

For all polymerisations, the conditions were as follows: 1000 eq. MAO, solvent: toluene, polymerisation time 1 h.

The consumptions were also measured and the results are displayed in Table VII.

TABLE VII Temp. m PE Activity Consumption (° C.) (g) (kg_(PE)/(mol · h) (kg_(C2H4)/(mol · h) 35 7.49 2 996 2 729 25 10.77 4 308 5 738

For all polymerisations, the conditions were as follows: Cr 2.5 μmol, ligand L 5 μmol, ethylene pressure 45 bars, 1000 eq. MAO, solvent: toluene, polymerisation time 1 h.

Polymerisation of Ethylene with Supported Catalyst Systems.

The activity of the unsupported CrCl₂/ligand L catalyst system was evaluated in heptane. The catalyst system was not selective in polyethylene as the consumption of ethylene was larger than the amount of ethylene present in the polyethylene. The polymerisation conditions were as follows:

complexation time: 2 hours, 5 μmol of ligand with 2.5 μmol of Cr, polymerisation temperature: 25° C., polymerisation pressure: 45 bars,

1000 equ. of MAO,

solvent: heptane, polymerisation time: 1 hour.

The results are displayed in Table VIII.

TABLE VIII Activity Consumption Tm m PE (g) (kg_(PE)/(mol · h) (kg_(C2H4)/(mol · h) (° C.) 6.77 2 708 6 768 137

Impregnation of the Catalyst on Silica/MAO.

5 μmol of complex CrCl₂/L were dissolved in 600 μl of toluene and then introduced in a schlenk with 100 mg of silica/MAO (50 μmol_(Cr)/g_(Si)) under stirring for a period of time of 30 minutes. The impregnated silica was filtered and washed either once with 600 μl of toluene and three times with 600 μl of heptane (condition 1) or three times with 600 μl of heptane (condition 2).

Polymerisation of Ethylene with Impregnated Silica/MAO.

The reactor was dried under nitrogen for a period of time of 30 minutes and at a temperature of 90° C. 50 mL of heptane were then introduced into the reactor with 100 mL of scavenger, MAO (30%) diluted in 5 mL of heptane, at a temperature of 25° C. 50 mg of silica, containing about 2.5 μmol of activated catalyst (50 μmol_(Cr)/g_(SiO2)) were introduced into the reactor with 5 mL of heptane. The polymerisation reaction was carried out at a temperature of 25° C. under an ethylene pressure of 45 bars and for a period of time of 1 hour for conditions 1 and 2. The results are displayed in Table IX.

TABLE IX m PE Activity Consumption Activity Consumption Tm (g) (kg_(PE)/mol · h) (kg_(C2H4)/(mol · h) (g_(PE)/(g_(si) · h)) (g_(C2H4)/(g_(si) · h)) (° C.) Cond. 1 ~0 0 4 836 0 242 — Cond. 2 0.77 308 5 061 15.4 253 138 Polymerisation of alpha-olefins.

The unsupported catalyst system CrCl₂/L was used for the polymerisaton of hexene with the following conditions: CrCl₂/L/MAO/hexene=1/100/2000. After a period of time of 24 hours and a polymerisation temperature of 30° C. the yield was of about 4.5%. 

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A method for preparing a metallic complex comprising: preparing a carbonylamino fulvene ligand by condensation reaction of an hydroxycarbonyl fulvene ligand with a primary amine;

wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl having at most 20 carbon atoms or heteroatoms-containing groups; providing a metallic precursor MZ_(n) wherein M is a metal Group 6 to 11 of the Periodic Table. Z is a negative counter-anion and n is the valence of M; complexing the metallic precursor with the carbonylamino fulvene; and retrieving a metallic complex.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein R₁ is alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, CHPh₂ wherein phenyl group Ph is substituted or unsubstituted or, heteroatom-containing group.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein R₁ is CHPh₂ or paramethoxypheny or cyclohexyl.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein R₂ is CH₂pyridine or furan.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein R₁ is CHPh₂, and R₂ is CH₂pyridine, or wherein R₁ is paramethoxyphenyl and R₂ is CH₂pyridine, or wherein R₁ is cyclohexyl and R₂ is furan.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein M is CrII, CrIII or Ni.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein Z is halogen or acetate.
 21. A metallic complex obtainable by the method of claim
 14. 22. An active catalyst comprising the metallic complex of claim 21, an activating agent having an ionising action and optionally a support.
 23. The active catalyst system of claim 22, wherein the activating agent is methylaluminoxane.
 24. A method for preparing an active catalyst system comprising: providing a carbonylamino fulvene ligand; complexing the ligand with a metallic salt MZ_(n) in a solvent; retrieving a catalyst component; optionally depositing the catalyst component on a support; activating the catalyst component with an activating agent having an ionising action; optionally adding a scavenger; and retrieving an active oligomerisation or polymerisation catalyst system.
 25. A method for oligomerising or for homo- or co-polymerising ethylene and alpha-olefins comprising: injecting the active catalyst system of claim 22 into a reactor; injecting the monomer and optional comonomer into the reactor; maintaining the reactor under polymerisation conditions; and retrieving the oligomers and/or polymer.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the monomer and comonemer are selected from ethylene, propylene or 1-hexene. 